Business system for two and three dimensional snapshots

• US 20080273081A1
• Filed: 03/26/2008
• Published: 11/06/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: RealD Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RealD Incorporated
• Inventors: Lipton, Lenny
• Application Number:
  US12/079,484
• Publication Number:
  US 20080273081A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/42
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/23 using wavelength separation, e.g. using anaglyph techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 30/27 involving lenticular arrays
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 35/00 Stereoscopic photography

Abstract

A method for enabling viewing of stereoscopic images is provided. The method includes providing a two dimensional image representation to a service bureau configured to convert the two dimensional image representation into a stereoscopic image and transmitting the enhanced image from the service bureau to an entity for purposes of displaying the images in a user desired configuration, such as in a digital photo frame. Alternately, the present design includes receiving a two dimensional electronic image representation in electronic form together with conversion criteria, converting the two dimensional electronic image representation into a stereoscopic image based on the conversion criteria, and providing the stereoscopic image to a user for display.

Claims

1. A method for enabling viewing of stereoscopic images, comprising:

providing a two dimensional image representation to a service bureau configured to convert the two dimensional image representation into a stereoscopic image; and

transmitting the enhanced image from the service bureau to an entity for purposes of displaying the images in a user desired configuration.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising employing a digital photo frame to display the enhanced image.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein producing the two dimensional image representation comprises obtaining a two dimensional image using an image recording device configured to convert the two dimensional image into a digital computer readable file.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein conversion of the two dimensional image representation to the enhanced image enables displaying the stereoscopic image in at least one display mode selected from a group comprising:

a digital photo frame;

display of an anaglyph;

a Micropol type display;

display using a SynthaGram type device; and

time multiplexed images shown on a display.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the service bureau comprises a third party having an ability to convert the two dimensional representation into an enhanced image and print the stereoscopic image in at least one format selected from a group comprising:

two dimensional prints;

anaglyph prints;

stereoscope prints;

lenticular files; and

lenticular prints.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the stereoscopic image is made available by the service bureau in at least one format selected from a group comprising:

a two dimensional print;

an anaglyph print;

a stereoscope print; and

a print clearly viewable using a lenticular array.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least one image recording device comprises a camera.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the service bureau receives the two dimensional image representation via a display facilitator, said display facilitator comprising one from a group comprising a person and software configures to select between various display options.

9. A method of viewing stereoscopic images, comprising:

obtaining a two dimensional digital image representation;

directing distribution of the two dimensional image representation to a service bureau configured to convert one two dimensional image into one stereoscopic image; and

receiving a stereoscopic representation of the two dimensional image representation for stereoscopic image viewing purposes.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein directing distribution comprises employing a display facilitator comprising software configured on a computing device.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the two dimensional digital image representation is obtained using an optical image receiving device configured to receive and convert optical images into digital image representations.

12. The method of claim 9, further comprising providing the stereoscopic representation to a digital photo frame.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the service bureau is configured to provide one stereoscopic image in at least one format selected from a group comprising:

two dimensional prints;

anaglyph prints;

stereoscope prints;

lenticular files; and

lenticular prints.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the at least one image recording device comprises a camera.

15. The method of claim 9, further comprising wherein said directing comprises at least one from a group comprising a person and software.

16. A method for providing a stereoscopic image to a user in a desired format, comprising:

receiving a two dimensional electronic image representation in electronic form together with conversion criteria;

converting the two dimensional electronic image representation into a stereoscopic image based on the conversion criteria; and

providing the stereoscopic image to a user for display.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the two dimensional image representation is provided via a display facilitator comprising software configured on a computing device.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the two dimensional image representation is obtained from an optical receiving device configured to receive images and convert the images into electronic form.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the conversion criteria comprise at least one from a group comprising:

user desired stereoscopic effects; and

conversion settings.